SANTA PAULA, Calif. — An international visitor visiting relatives in Ventura County was arrested and formally charged with felony child abuse after allegedly molesting a 7-year-old family member, police announced.
The criminal investigation is being led by the Santa Paula Police Department's Detective Bureau in coordination with child protective specialists and prosecutors from the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Authorities identified the suspect as 63-year-old David Salvador, an international traveler who was temporarily staying with family in Santa Paula at the time of his arrest.
Initial Response, Arrest, and Bail Revocation
According to an official press release published by the Santa Paula Police Department, patrol officers and detectives responded to a residence on Saturday, August 22, 2026, following a report of an active child molest incident.
Upon arriving at the scene, investigators conducted preliminary interviews and determined that a 7-year-old female child had been molested by a family member earlier that day. Detectives gathered evidence at the scene and subsequently took Salvador into custody without incident.
Salvador was initially transported to the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura, where he was booked on felony child abuse charges with bail set at $1,000,000.
On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Salvador appeared in Ventura County Superior Court for a formal arraignment. Prosecutors from the Ventura County District Attorney's Office filed a formal criminal complaint detailing multiple severe felony counts:
- Lewd Acts Upon a Child: Alleging intentional sexual contact with a minor
- Unlawful Acts with a Child Victim Under 10 Years Old: Aggravated child abuse allegations
- Residential Burglary: Entering a residence or private room with the intent to commit a felony
During the court proceeding, the presiding judge reviewed the severity of the charges, the vulnerability of the young victim, and the suspect's status as an international visitor presenting a significant flight risk. The court updated Salvador's custody status, revoking his $1,000,000 bond and ordering him held in custody without bail pending trial.
"On August 22, 2026, Santa Paula Police Department patrol officers and detectives responded to a report of a child molest incident. Through investigation, it was determined a 7-year-old female victim was molested by a family member earlier in the day," public safety officials stated in a bilingual media advisory.
"On August 25, 2026, Salvador was arraigned at Ventura County Superior Court on charges filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office... Bail status was updated and Salvador is now being held without bail," police added.
Search for Potential Additional Victims and Public Contact Details
Because Salvador was visiting from out of the country and had access to extended family networks and community spaces, law enforcement authorities express concern that additional unreported victims may exist.
Detectives are actively reviewing Salvador's travel history, local itineraries, and past visits to the region to determine whether other children may have been exposed to risk or subject to illegal conduct. As of this report, no official booking mugshot or arrest photo of David Salvador has been made available to the public by law enforcement.
Public safety leaders stress the importance of community vigilance regarding child protection. Parents and guardians are encouraged to maintain open communication with young children, teach personal safety boundaries, and report any suspicious behavior, boundary violations, or physical disclosures to law enforcement immediately
Members of the public who possess information regarding this incident, or who suspect other children may have been victimized by David Salvador, are strongly urged to contact lead Detective Yvette Solis at (805) 826-7512 or via email at ysolis@santapaula.gov.
Official updates regarding this prosecution can be reviewed on the Santa Paula Police Department Official Facebook Page.